The Prince Wants to Retire

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Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

17. Bloodshed at the Volcano (3)

The eruption of the volcano caught the attention of the Empire’s main forces, drawing the Imperial Army to the West.

To add to that, even the Holy Nation was leading its main force toward the West.

Naturally, the Northern Army had to follow suit and move to the West as well.

‘The Northeast is wide open.’

As Kariel thought that, his expression stiffened.

What if they draw attention here and stir things up elsewhere?

Currently, he could think of two major possibilities.

1. They focused their attention on Lapra Volcano to trigger the Karup Volcano.

If this was the plan, the real setup would likely be ongoing there.

However, this likelihood decreases significantly with the Northeast left unguarded.

2. They concentrate the continent’s attention on the West, allowing the main force of Dark Mages to slip out of the Empire.

With the main forces of the Holy Nation and the Empire’s North having moved West, the defenses in the Northeast must surely have weakened.

If that is the case, it would be much easier for the Dark Mages to escape the Empire.

‘They might not just stop at escaping the Empire; they could even cross over to the East Continent.’

In his previous life, there were records of enemies fleeing to the East Continent after being sliced by Glen, who rose to Grand Master.

The issue was that the current Empire had no spare resources to worry about that far.

At this point, there were only two places to cross from the West Continent to the East Continent.

The Giant’s Path and the Frigid Canyon.

These two paths, one blocked by the Principality and the other next to the Holy Nation, were the only routes connecting to the East Continent, said to have formed during the mythological era.

Among them, the Frigid Canyon was, as its name suggests, cold and rugged, making it rarely used by merchants.

However, for the Dark Mages, the story was different. These madmen would push through even if it meant their comrades died.

‘In this situation, I can’t worry about the Dark Mages escaping.’

While he wanted to completely eradicate the Dark Mages, he knew it was not realistic.

Then, the best he could do was to lessen the enemy’s main force from this place as much as possible.

If they crossed over to the East Continent, it was obvious they would cause trouble there, but from Kariel’s perspective, that would be even better.

‘Let the East Continent taste the spicy flavor of the Dark Mages.’

With that resolve, Kariel’s mind began to race.

Suddenly, ideas began to spring forth in his head.

‘If I use this well…’

If he used this wisely, it could yield a significant benefit for the Empire as well, and a sly smile crept upon Kariel’s lips.

Moreover, if he built a solid justification, he could decisively block any schemes that would prevent his retirement.

Just as Kariel was engrossed in his scheming smile, Talion hurriedly approached.

“Your Highness.”

“Is it the enemies?”

“Yes.”

In response to Kariel’s inquiry, another enemy appeared.

“Is it the Holy Nation’s army?”

“Yes.”

“How far out are they?”

“They seem to be arriving within the hour.”

As Talion reported, Kariel was deep in thought when a crow appeared and bowed before him.

“Your Highness, report. A group suspected to be Dark Mages has appeared approximately seven thousand paces to the east.”

At the crow’s report, Kariel shook his head.

The Dark Mages were so ruthless they wouldn’t hesitate to risk their comrades’ lives for the sake of their great plan.

They were clearly aware that this place would become a death trap, yet they freely dispatched troops to buy time.

Just then, a translucent window appeared before Kariel.

[The Fragment of the Spirit King is starting to awaken. Now is the time to make a contract as it has not fully awakened yet.]

[The probability of making a contract decreases every three hours.]

[The power of the volcano eruption increases as time passes.]

As the translucent window appeared, Kariel looked up at the sky in silence.

Feeling the earth tremble as if it would erupt at any moment, he said to Talion.

“It seems I have to go there directly.”

“Your Highness.”

“That place might be safer. There are things I need to do as well.”

In response to Kariel’s words, Talion nodded and tried to deliver the mission to the Imperial Palace Knights.

Just then, a shadow rushed in to deliver a message.

Receiving the letter from the messenger, Kariel read it and stiffened his expression.

“Just as I thought, these guys are sincere about everything.”

Kariel muttered, gazing at the letter.

「Some remnants of Belphus are heading to the Northwest.

Some were trying to flee to the sea as expected, but were blocked by the Count of the West.

I will be joining with the Western main forces, so please hold on a little longer.

– Ebid De Devir Glodin -」

“……They’re coming with the Western Army?”

Seeing Talion’s serious expression as he read the letter, Kariel nodded with a smile.

“This isn’t a bad situation.”

Kariel thought about the pillars of the Empire gathering in the West.

Three pillars believed to support the Empire:

Duke Devir.

Marquis Versio.

Marquis Achelio.

All three Masters were gathered in the West.

This meant that the center of the Empire’s forces was entirely concentrated in the Northwest.

This also implied that even if the Dark Mages had laid a trap there, they could be crushed by sheer force.

Even if the Dark Mages’ main plan was to escape to the East Continent, causing an eruption to weaken the Empire’s power was likely among their primary strategies.

However, Kariel planned to smash that plan himself.

At the same time, he considered sabotaging the Dark Mages’ main plan.

“Send this letter West. This one goes to the Central.”

“Yes.”

The shadow bowed at Kariel’s command and vanished.

“Talion.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I plan to ascend the volcano with just you and the Imperial Guard. The rest will stay here to prevent the Dark Mages from ascending.”

“Your Highness, that is unacceptable!”

Though the Imperial Palace Knights hastily bowed and protested against it, this time Kariel spoke firmly.

“Preventing the enemies from ascending is the same as protecting me. The Imperial Palace Knights must follow my orders to block the enemies from approaching me.”

“Understood!”

At Kariel’s resolute command, the Imperial Palace Knights all bowed their heads and responded collectively.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

At Kariel’s command, Talion hurriedly lifted him, and they began to ascend the volcano.

The Imperial Guard followed closely behind.

“Uh, Your Highness, what does the letter say?”

“If we let the Dark Mages escape to the East Continent just like that, it would be a shame. So, I made some plans.”

As Kariel said this, he broke into a grin.

He would trouble the Holy Nation while the marauding Dark Mages attempted to escape through the wide-open Northeast.

At the same time, he would mobilize the Eastern Army to pressure them.

But that alone wouldn’t be enough to hassle the Dark Mages.

In the end, he needed the help of the Principality, which had positioned itself in the Giant Mountain Range.

They needed to make sure that the Dark Mages couldn’t easily traverse the Giant Mountain Range.

A coalition stretching from the Holy Nation to the Empire to the Principality.

To block the Dark Mages, such a multinational alliance was necessary.

Originally, the Continental Conference was planned to proceed slowly after the affairs of the Northwest finished, but it had to be expedited now.

The Dark Mages had caused greater chaos than anticipated, and now the Iron Alliance, Holy Nation, and Principality were all involved, so there was ample justification.

“The Continental Conference will proceed swiftly. Then there will undoubtedly be a need for someone to preside over it. It wouldn’t do for Your Majesty to oversee it personally while I’m here.”

“Are you suggesting the two princes?”

“Yes, the last test for the Crown Prince. That will be the Continental Conference.”

A deeper smile graced Kariel’s lips.

“In order for the two princes presiding over the conference to gain power, I must retire.”

“Could it be…”

“Yes, I formally wrote that I wish to retire and asked for the two princes to preside over the Continental Conference.”

Kariel spoke as he burst into laughter.

He felt that this was how to turn a crisis into an opportunity.

While the Dark Mages may think they harassed him, Kariel saw the current situation as a blessing.

‘My retirement has come sooner than expected.’

The Emperor and the ministers could no longer afford to procrastinate.

For the sake of his younger siblings, Kariel would certainly secure his retirement as Crown Prince and preside over the Continental Conference.

“Is freedom within reach if I just manage to prevent a volcanic eruption?”

At Kariel’s words, Talion let out a small sigh.

He wanted to dissuade him.

So many people in the Empire recognized Kariel that he wished he would remain in the position of Crown Prince, but seeing Kariel so excited about retirement, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

“Let’s hurry.”

“……Yes.”

As Talion and Kariel chatted while ascending, the vibrations from the volcano’s peak felt ominous.

Noticing something was amiss, Talion, carrying Kariel, quickened his pace.

Kariel gazed at the swiftly passing scenery as if riding a train on Earth.

It was frightening enough to see all those who had appeared to stop Achelio scattered like bloodied pieces.

The Blood Path created by the Master for Kariel.

Talion swiftly ascended that path.

“We must go faster.”

“Are you okay?”

Talion asked worriedly.

He was concerned that Kariel, who was physically weaker, might struggle with the increased pace.

Kariel nodded in response.

“Faster.”

“Yes. I’ll go at maximum speed. Try to keep up.”

Talion briefly instructed the Imperial Guard behind them, increasing their speed.

Just then, Toto raised his mana with a frantic expression.

“Oh no!”

A level six warrior, specialized in speed, began to ascend the mountain with full power, prompting the unit of level five warriors, the Imperial Guard, to hurriedly follow suit.

Even carrying Kariel, the Imperial Guard found it difficult to keep up with the pace as they quickly arrived near the mountain’s summit.

“Your Highness.”

“How is the volcano?”

When he asked Achelio, who had come to greet him, he turned around.

There lay a man in a black robe, lifeless.

“Was he of Elder level?”

“Yes. I don’t know what means he used, but the moment I started to ascend, he seemed to have completed his spell…”

Achelio trailed off, lowering his head.

“I apologize. I couldn’t stop him.”

Kariel shook his head in response to Achelio’s words.

Just looking at the Blood Path he had created showed that he had given it his all.

All that was left was for him to do his part.

Grrrrraaar!

A strange sound erupted from deep within the lava.

“Is that it?”

Kariel went to the center of the volcano and looked down.

“It seems like a dragon is asleep.”

At Talion’s words, Achelio and the knights nodded in agreement.

However, Kariel tilted his head in confusion.

“I don’t think so?”

“Yes?”

“What dragon would make that sound?”

Kariel’s words made Achelio tilt his head.

“The mana carried in that strange sound seems comparable to that of a dragon. It might at least be a being of that caliber.”

“No…”

Kariel shot a baffled look at Achelio’s comment.

Just then, Surth appeared with a chuckle.

– Sounds like a brat, huh?

“Did you hear it too?”

Talion nodded slightly at Kariel’s question.

To everyone else, it sounded like a monstrous roar.

But for Kariel and Surth, it resonated differently.

– Waaaaaaah!

It was a colossal roar that sounded almost like a baby’s cry.

As Kariel found himself bewildered by the contrasting sounds, a translucent window appeared again.

[A baby spirit is being forcibly awakened by the Dark Mages and is in distress. Please soothe it.]

“What the hell….”

Kariel involuntarily uttered a curse just as the lava began to surge, and a massive Fire Giant began to rise from within it.

“Your Highness, it’s dangerous!”

Talion hurriedly tried to pull Kariel back.

Achelio also sought to respond by summoning a gigantic Aura Blade.

But Kariel calmly gazed at the Fire Giant instead. The Fire Giant looked down at Kariel in kind.

“Hmm?”

– Uwuu?

Kariel and the Fire Giant tilted their heads at each other.

Before they knew it, a red aura was resonating between them.

In that space, Surth, taking the form of a small fireball, entered to harmonize the resonance.

All present, including Achelio and the knights, quietly stepped back to observe this bizarre phenomenon.

“It’s like… meeting the First Emperor recorded in history books.”

Achelio’s mumble elicited unconscious nods from everyone.

The wondrous sight reminiscent of the First Emperor, known as the master of fire, left them all breathless as they watched intently.

Fearing they might disturb the moment, they held their breaths, waiting for the resonance between Kariel and the Fire Giant to come to a safe conclusion.

Did their wishes reach the heavens?

The resonating red mana, which had been turbulent, began to stabilize gradually.